Things You'll Need
Respirator
Coarse plastic brush
Tack cloths
Professional painter's tape
Dropcloths
Water-based metal self-etching primer
Roller
2 shed-free roller covers
3- to 4-inch polyester paintbrush
Satin or semi-gloss latex paint
If you want to paint foil-faced insulation, you must first employ the proper preparation techniques. The foil facing on insulation is nonporous, making it ill-suited for adhesion. Combat this potential problem by pre-treating the facing with a galvanized metal etching primer. Once the foil face is properly prepared, it will accept a new finish. Apply the paint in a particular way, or you may end up with subtle flaws in the finish coat.
Step 1
Wear a respirator, if the insulation is located in a poorly-ventilated area.
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Step 2
Dust the foil face, using a coarse plastic brush. Wipe unseen dust from the facing with sticky tack cloths.
Step 3
Use painter's tape and dropcloths to protect areas next to and beneath the insulation from paint drips and splatters.
Step 4
Coat the foil face with water-based metal self-etching primer, using a roller. Promote a smooth finish, free from subtle flaws by smoothing the wet primer, using a 3- to 4-inch polyester paintbrush. Brush vertically, applying light pressure. Wait four hours for the self-etching primer to dry.
Step 5
Wash the brush and roller with water.
Step 6
Coat the primed foil face with satin or semi-gloss latex paint, using the roller, equipped with a fresh, clean nap cover. Apply the finish coat just as you did the self-etching primer. Wait two hours for the finish to dry.
Warning
Do not paint unprimed foil-faced insulation or the paint will peel.
Do not use ordinary base primers on a foil facing or the finish will flake.
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